Orlando Magic's Tracy McGrady Signs Lifetime Partnership With adidas

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- adidas announced today
that it has signed a lifetime strategic partnership agreement with Orlando
Magic star guard Tracy McGrady. The deal, which is for the duration of
McGrady's basketball career and beyond, is the most significant contract
adidas has ever signed with a professional athlete.
"This is an unprecedented deal for adidas," stated Erich Stamminger,
Member of the Executive Board of adidas-Salomon AG, responsible for Global
Marketing. "Tracy is one of the most exciting and respected players in the NBA
and we are impressed by his passion both on and off the court. We are excited
about his future impact on the sport, our brand and our global basketball
business."
McGrady is currently in the final year of his six-year contract with
adidas. Earlier this year adidas introduced the T-MAC, its first signature
Tracy McGrady basketball shoe, which quickly gave adidas its first number one
selling shoe in the U.S. in almost six years.
Since his NBA debut in 1997, McGrady has established himself as one of the
league's top players. For the 2001-2002 NBA season McGrady ranked fourth in
scoring (25.6) and total points (1948), third in points per 48 minutes (32.1),
fifth in field goal attempts (1586), fourth in field goals made (715), eighth
in free throw attempts (555) and triple-doubles (1). In 2002 McGrady made his
second consecutive All-Star appearance, scored 24 points off the bench and had
one of the most memorable dunks in All-Star history.
"I am thrilled that adidas will be there with me throughout my basketball
career and in what lies beyond," stated McGrady. "adidas has always been a
company that has supported me, as far back as high school through the ABCD
Camp. This is an exciting time in my life and I am happy that adidas has the
confidence in me both as a basketball player and as a person to make this
long-term commitment. I am excited about the many projects we will work on
together in the upcoming years."
"We continue to aggressively expand our U.S. basketball presence," added
Ross McMullin, President and CEO, adidas America. "In 2001 our basketball
sales grew nearly 40%; partnering with Tracy will enable us to build on that
momentum and further strengthen our position in the U.S. basketball market for
the long term."
adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear,
apparel and accessories. adidas America is a subsidiary of adidas-Salomon, AG,
the world's second largest sporting goods company, which includes the sport
brands Salomon and TaylorMade.
Please visit our new corporate website: http://www.adidas-Salomon.com
MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X46863852